But it is not a simple choice: each option for heating our homes and businesses has challenges that could limit their deployment. A combination of options is likely to be required; no one option may not dominate, as natural gas currently does. Demand reduction will be an essential part of a cost-effective transition.

The scale of the challenge should not be underestimated. The social aspects are as challenging as the technical. The capital investment means the cost of heating will rise during the transition.

Timing is crucial. Preparations need to begin now, to inform the long investment cycles over the next 30 years.

Industry experts were brought together to identify the key issues affecting the deployment of heat pumps and if there are any low-regret options that could be pursued now. This note provides an overview of the discussion at the meeting. The output will feed into ERP’s Transition to Low Carbon Heat project looking at the broader strategic issues, due to publish in summer 2017.

Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty in the Energy Sector: Observations and Suggested Areas for Research Part 1 of 3: Anecdotal observations regarding the present decision making culture in the energy sector – the need for an adjustment?

Over the next 33 years, the changes to heating in UK homes and offices will be huge, affecting nearly every building. The decisions we make over the next few years will have a significant bearing on how easily the transition to low carbon heating can be achieved.

The recent Energy Utilities Alliance conference, Gas 2016, had an additional appeal for an energy conference – it was held at Lord’s cricket ground! It seems an unusual venue, but the tour of the Pavilion afterwards raised some interesting parallels to the earlier conference discussion.

Including a report of the launch of our new low carbon heat project, thoughts on the Hinkley Point decision, and ERP’s submission to the House of Lords Select Committee inquiry into the economics of energy policy.

It’s the one thing we are all clear about – our energy system needs to transform. It needs to be affordable, secure and clean, but as soon as we look at the detail then opinions on the best choice differ.

The paper discusses the potential role of community energy in the UK’s low-carbon transition. It presents examples of community energy in the UK and other countries, to consider the motivations, benefits, costs and risks, and to identify challenges that community energy faces in the UK.